tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992023935961455603.post1003029935491395479..comments2015-02-27T11:46:43.089-06:00Comments on Life on the Other Side of the Wall: An Interesting Question: Socializing in a Job DescriptionAaron Likenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01986793563943738918noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992023935961455603.post-59760299302231955682013-08-15T10:00:14.523-05:002013-08-15T10:00:14.523-05:00I guess technically, you&#39;re current job descri...I guess technically, you&#39;re current job description does require you to socialize. At least on a large, group basis. I understand there is a difference between speaking to a large audience and socializing with your coworkers. I remember when I first came to work over here and was being shown around. Someone showed me where your desk was and explained that you&#39;re rarely there and you liked quiet and solitude. So, when I finally did meet you, I made sure to present myself as non-threatening as possible. And typically I am fairly gregarious when it comes to meeting new people. I like to give a firm handshake and try to establish a good friendly relationship right off the bat. I knew this approach wouldn&#39;t work with you so I backed off and let you take the lead in beginning conversations and only offered the most basic and generic of greetings to you.<br /><br />The difference between me and your past coworkers is that I was familiar with your Autism beforehand. I don&#39;t know if this means you should always tell people off the bat that you are on the spectrum in order to let them know, but people in general should be able to read a person well enough to realize that their normal method of befriending a person might not work with everyone they come in contact with. It&#39;s just another one of those hurdles you&#39;ll probably spend the rest of your life trying to overcome, sometimes successfully, sometimes, not so much.<br /><br />Anyway, I know this reply is a lot more personal than most of the ones I post here so, if you decide not to publish it, I&#39;d certainly understand. I just wanted to let you know that I&#39;ve enjoyed getting to know you through your blogs but also talking to you face to face and seeing your enthusiasm for the things you&#39;re passionate about. Hope to see you again soon.DerickWJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06084618196190845691noreply@blogger.com